Duke University · NeuroscienceOrofacial Motor Control Lab
Nuo Li · Durham, North Carolina
Research Focus
Dr. Nuo Li's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how brain circuits control rhythmic movements related to the mouth and face, such as swallowing and breathing. By studying these circuits, the lab aims to uncover the reasons behind dangerous problems like choking, which can occur in children and the elderly. Through advanced techniques like electrophysiology, the lab investigates the neural pathways involved in these critical behaviors to pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions.
brainstemorofacial movementsrhythmic movementselectrophysiologycentral pattern generatorsneural circuitsswallowingbreathingmotor controldisease mechanisms
Research Aims
5AIM 01Map the brainstem circuits involved in rhythmic orofacial movements.
AIM 02Identify the molecular cell types within the premotor networks responsible for drinking and swallowing.
AIM 03Investigate the interactions between different premotor circuits during rhythmic movement.
AIM 04Examine how brainstem rhythms are influenced by volitional control during actions like drinking.
AIM 05Understand the underlying neural causes for life-threatening symptoms linked to orofacial movement disorders.
Skills the Lab Values
electrophysiologylarge-scale neural mappingcircuit tracingmouse behavioral modelsdata analysisphysiology experimentssimultaneous recordingsmechanistic dissectionbehavioral assaysmolecular biology techniques
Output against the department
Publications2,505top 1% of dept.2nd of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations76ktop 4% of dept.24th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.